9/11 Heroes and Memories

Finding solace for those left behind.

And there was evening and morning, seven years worth, and the world is still unformed and void, with darkness over the face of the deep.

For all the politics, bombs and battles in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, what strikes the mourners is a more personal and sensual vacancy, the absence of touch and sight and voice, a severing of personal histories.

It is that quest for the senses that has inspired some of previous years private memorials.

Out in the Rockaways, not long ago, firefighter and former lifeguard Steve Belson -- one of three Jewish firefighters to die in the World Trade center -- was celebrated with a morning swim in the ocean just off the sands of Bell's Beach, as Beach 92 was officially renamed in his honor. His friends wanted to feel dripping wet with the memories of him, be buoyed by him, immersed in the ocean of him. At dusk, the day for Bells, as they called him, continued in a restaurant right on the water. A rock band played.

He knows his dad was a hero; seven survivors of the World Trade Center came forward to say the young lawyer saved their lives at the expense of his own.

Has it been seven years? Not for everyone. It's been 6 1/2 years for Jason Zucker, born a few months after his dad, Andrew, disappeared in the South Tower's inferno. He knows his dad was a hero; seven survivors of the World Trade Center came forward to say the young lawyer saved their lives at the expense of his own. But stories are one thing and having no father to kiss is another. Now the boy will have a Torah to kiss, a new Torah with his father's name inscribed on the velvet.

In Riverdale Jewish Center completed the writing of a new Torah scroll in honor of Zucker, the local hero. It was read for the first time on Sept. 11, 2006, a Monday, and was read for the first time on a Shabbat later that week on the actual yahrtzeit, Elul 23. An Israeli silversmith has crafted silver rimonim (pomegranates), a stylized evocation of the two towers, to adorn the scroll's two wooden handles.

Erica Zucker, Andrew's widow and Jason's mom, said: "Andrew was very connected to the shul, and we still are. I like the idea of something tangible, for something of Andrew to be there; something for Jason to see and touch as he grows up, to see the community's love for Andrew. I can always tell Jason about Andrew and how amazing and supportive the community was and is, but this is also a chance for Jason to see it -- the community writing a Torah in memory of his father."

It is Elul, the season of visiting cemeteries before the New Year. Student groups that fly to Poland to see death camps can now take a subway to Chambers Street. There is a messianic legend that when the Third Temple is built it will descend instantly, whole and complete from Heaven. Now we have a new apocalyptic legend -- a death camp that descended on New York; klieg lights suddenly glaring through the a pale, smokey night haze; noses sensing a stench that couldn't quite be placed; soldiers rolling by on lorries; the sense of souls piled upon souls beneath ash and palsied metal.

On Beekman Street, a few blocks from the hallowed ground, Rabbi Meyer Hager, spiritual leader of the Wall Street Synagogue, anticipates the return of that most haunted day. He takes a black hat down from its shelf, the hat he wore on that morning five years ago. The hat is splotchy with an odd pale soot. As if pointing to an object on the Seder plate, he says: "This is the debris. I shook it off but then I caught myself. I thought, maybe I should keep it the way it is, so someone can see and learn what it holds for the future."

He remembers the soot and death that fell as gently "as snow."

The saddest day of the Jewish year, Tisha b'Av, another day of fire and death, is also 9/11, the ninth day of the 11th Hebrew month.

Rabbi Hager said he couldn't help but notice that the saddest day of the Jewish year, Tisha b'Av, another day of fire and death, is also 9/11, the ninth day of the 11th Hebrew month.

Sometimes Rabbi Hager walks to the corner and looks up and sees nothing. As rabbi of the nearest synagogue to the World Trade Center, he had lit menorahs in its lobbies. He also stood 110 stories higher, on what seemed like an urban Everest, the roof of the World Trade Center, back in April 1981, to say the Blessing of the Sun, a blessing said only once every 28 years when the heavens are said to be aligned exactly as they were on the fourth day of creation, the sun's biblical birthday. While not quite Neil Armstrong, surely no man before Rabbi Hager ever said the Blessing of the Sun in greater proximity to the sun itself.

Six who died in the World Trade Center were financial supporters of the shul, even if only one or two of them came by even occasionally. When the rabbi thinks of martyred congregants he thinks as easily of the firemen of Engine 6, immediately adjacent to the shul. He remembers seeing firefighter Ben Johnston riding away on a fire truck and never seeing Ben Johnston again. On the first Shabbat after 9/11, firemen came to light the fires of candlelight so the shul could function despite the absence of electricity.

Contrary to the legend that those who prayed were late and therefore immunized from terror, services on that 9/11 ended at about 8:15 a.m., said the rabbi, so everyone had plenty of time to get to their offices in the World Trade Center and no one who prayed at the shul that morning was saved simply by virtue of his virtue.

However, said the rabbi, one gentleman who worked in the World Financial Center, taking a route that brought him through the Trade Center plaza, stayed another half-hour in the shul that day because he didn't quite understand his morning Talmud lesson and wanted clarification. By the time he left for work, the first plane had hit and police were turning people back.

But lives saved by coincidence or irony ought not be automatically confused with saintliness. Zucker, an Orthodox Jew and former volunteer firefighter, also put on tefillin and studied before he went to work that morning, and saved not himself but seven of God's children before America knew what hit them.

Madeline Brandstadter, Belson's mother, said she considered herself and her son to be thoroughly secular Jews. But she remembered that Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, FDNY chaplain, remarked in his eulogy: "They said that Steve was not religious. You tell me how someone can run into a burning building to save people and not be religious."

"I'll never forget that," said Belson's mother.

Belson wasn't much of a Jew if Jewish is defined by affiliation. He was more likely to nurture his soul through the Grateful Dead or Hot Tuna. His buddy, Fire Chief Butch Brandes of Battalion 41 in Flatbush, a vice president in the Ner Tamid fraternal organization of Jewish firefighters, remembered how he used to ask Belson all the time to join Ner Tamid.

Belson would say, "Yeah, when I have my 20 years" on the force.

"Then," said Brandes, after 20 years, "sure enough, he joined. And he didn't miss a meeting."

Belson, who had back surgery a few months before 9/11, charged into the burning North Tower and was last heard from on the 40th floor. He was never found.

He's there still.

In another way, Zucker's sister, Cheryl Shames, is there, too, a reader of victims' names on September anniversaries; a volunteer giving tours of the World Trade Center grounds; and soon to be a docent for the Tribute Center that opened on Liberty Street Sept. 6.

"Besides telling them about the World Trade Center," said Cheryl of her tours, "I get to tell them about Andrew. When people look at the Wall of Names, Andrew's name is the second to last, of almost 3,000 names. But if you came on my tour, you'll feel you knew him, that you had a connection to Andrew Zucker. I'm doing it for Andrew. I pass around photographs of Andrew."

Cheryl remembers that last time she saw her brother: "It was two Shabboses before Sept.11. That Friday night he kept us up until one or two in the morning, talking through the whole timeline of our family's life, remembering the nittiest details. My eyes were closing from tiredness. He needed to talk. That was just days before 9/11."

And there was evening and there was mourning, five years.

He likely talked about being active in Jewish student life at the State University at Binghamton; his passion for being a volunteer media ombudsman, defending Israel from misperception; his prescient sense of current affairs, sending out e-mail advisories and petitions about the Taliban and the terrorists "like Hitler," he said, who would soon take his life. He e-mailed, "All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."

Good men were doing nothing, he said to friends, and he kept saying it until he was more right than he ever imagined.

On Sunday, a Torah with his name on it will be danced down the street under a wedding canopy, not unlike Zucker's own, though it hurts to watch a wedding canopy going solo. The new Torah will be greeted on the steps of the shul by each of the other Torahs, welcoming Zucker's Torah into the ark. It's a way to think differently of Zucker's resting place; "ark" sharing the same Hebrew word as "casket."

Almost all of us expect further attacks. And yet a Torah is kissed, firemen are swimming and music plays.

Visitor Comments: 26

Never forgot the ones that sacrificed there lives for US. Thank you lord for all the wonderful people involves in this. Never forgot, Never forgotten!

(24)
Anonymous,
November 24, 2010 6:54 PM

First Responders, NYPD, FDNY

This article really touched me..
i think an important part of 9-11 that is often forgot is the lasting memories of the FDNY, Medics etc.
i work for Mr Shlomo Zakheim who risked his life that day saving civillians, FDNY etc... 10 years after the fact i dont think a day goes by that he doenst think about it.. he still has hanging in his office the clothes he wore that day. i think we need to all thank the heroes of that day and forever remember those who perished.

Anonymous,
September 6, 2011 6:47 PM

my thoughts

it is so sad

(23)
Gary Katz,
September 7, 2008 3:34 PM

In contrast

Compare and contrast dedicating a Torah in honor of this hero Zucker to Palestinians naming a soccer field after a suicide bomber.

(22)
Bernie Siegel, MD,
September 7, 2008 11:03 AM

do not let your tears put out your beloved's candle

to help you to heal and not grieve endlessly and in an unhealthy way i have written a book in style of children's story but it is for all ages containing the things which have helped me when loved ones have died. it is called Buddy's Candle and you can get information about it from my web site www.berniesiegelmd.com.

(21)
Feigele,
September 7, 2008 8:16 AM

G-d's Selection

Yes, our hearts bleed for all these 3,000 souls who lost their lives that day being from all different races or creeds. They are all heroes in our eyes. At the same time, for those of us, who were spared a tragic end, we should thank G-d for deciding who or who will not be there that day. My daughter called me about 9am that day to tell me to turn on the TV and said that a plane had crashed onto one of the tower. I didn’t believe her but I knew she’s not one to joke especially something like that. When I saw the tower collapse, I couldn’t help thinking right away of my oldest son working a block away from the towers and I knew he was on his way to work at about the same time. I could imagine him being buried under all the concrete falling from the towers. Fortunately, like me, he’s always early at work and was already in his office. I couldn’t get in touch with him by phone and left a message on his home phone uptown to call me the minute he got home. That was about 9 am, I didn’t hear from him before about 5pm. That day, my heart stopped, so did my brain, until I heard from him. He had gone home in a taxi, which took hours to get uptown. I knew that moment that G-d was with him.
My husband, who worked as an architect for the Port Authority in one of the tower, would go there about every other week. But that day, G-d didn’t send him there. Talking miracles! But his colleagues there didn’t make it.
A year before I applied for a job there but didn’t get it! No wonder, G-d didn’t want me there!
I also thank G-d for not having made heroes any of my family or friends.
I’m sure there are thousands of stories that people could tell about that day. This is mine, one in a million…

(20)
FRANK,
September 5, 2008 5:43 AM

His life blessed so many.

My heart goes out to his family, I believe in my heart Hashem welcome him home with open arms, G-d's word say's one day he will wipe all the tears from our eyes, let us show this world that to love the L-rd G-d with our whole heart, Andrew even if I didn't know him, buit the G-d of everything knew him, how much more is that, lives that he touch will never be the same.

(19)
Abby,
January 11, 2007 7:16 AM

I just wanted to say i am very sorry for all that has happend but everything happens for a reasion when i found out what happend. i really didnt think it that it was that big of a deal because i had never even heard of the twin towers but then i found out how many people died and theni knew.i just wanted to tell you how sorry i amto all thosepeople thathave lost someone.

(18)
BoomiePinter,
October 2, 2006 8:43 PM

A Frum Hero of 9/11 is Honored

Abe Zelmanowitz, an Orthodox Jew, was up in one of the towers at work when all hell broke loose. However, he did not want to leave a coworker was disabled, preferring instead to wait with his coworker for recuers; rescuers who sadly shared the same fate.On Tuesday, October 10, the block in Brooklyn where Abe Zelmanowitz lived, East 35th St. at Kings Highway, will be named "Abe Zelamanowitz Way". We should always remember this American Jewish Hero!

(17)
ml,
September 15, 2006 8:50 PM

Incredible story

This was truly a touching and incredible story. Although horrific in nature this underlines how good people are with us eternally. Remember that his soul is in a better place. My deepest sympathy to the family and all the other families who lost a loved one on this turning point in our history.

(16)
RaySaperstein,
September 14, 2006 11:28 AM

Incredible

This is an incredible article. It is sad to realize that a recent poll taken across several Arab countries reveals that more than half the people polled do not believe that Arabs had anything to do with the events of 9/11.

(15)
BerylE.Sorscher,
September 13, 2006 3:03 PM

9/11 is also Tisha b'av

Whats even more awesome and frightening is that Kristelnacht is also 9/11. Remember that in the European convention, the day precedes the month so that Nov 9th is 9/11!! There is a message here. After all, why did Divine Providence see fit for the world to refer to the attack as 9/11???

(14)
Anonymous,
September 13, 2006 4:59 AM

9.11.01 23rd elul

No matter if you are an orthodox jew or not the two yortzeits somehow appear every year in memory of the victims. This year creates almost a hangover if you will of almost a week(shiva) of rememberance. our lost ones are personification of the strength they afford to to be able to continue this difficult path of tragic return to what we are left with and called the aftermath!

(13)
MitchellRunion,
September 12, 2006 7:20 PM

American Heroes

In my eyes the people who were taken from us on September 11 2001 are heroes and i just hope that as time goes by our nation will continue to honor and respect them for there courage.May we never forget what happened on that day and use it as a daily reminder to reflect on where we are as a nation of freedom loving people.I lost a few Air Force colleagues in the Khobar Towers terrorists truck bombing.Life is precious no doubt about it.

(12)
JoannaDavis,
September 12, 2006 2:27 PM

We're with you!!!!

Dear friends;

The events of 9/11 as well as the wars being waged in Afghanistan and Iraq remind us all that the war (over all) is against a mind-set. Watching Jay Leno last night, the question was asked; what do these terrorists want? Jay's guest was quick to reply, "They want us all dead." As a Christian, I stand fiercely on the side of Israel! The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob WILL prevail. Tragically, however, things will get a lot worse before they get better. But you are not alone.

My brother Jonathan J Uman {Yonatan Ben David} was a VP at Cantor Fitzgerald. On September 11th he was on the 105th floor of WTC tower #1. Jonathans second child had arrived just months before his untimely death.

Jonathans death was one of the prime reasons for my Teshuva to Judaism. We were raised in a Conservative/Secular Jewish home and after we were Bar Mitzvahed we moved on. It has been 5 years since his death, and 3 1/2 years since I started on the path to Jewish ritual observance...

It has been a difficult day for myself and my family. There are so many thoughts and feelings to contend with. I was the older brother, yet he left this world before I did.

(9)
DeinyaMautz,
September 11, 2006 1:23 PM

The Jew Who Chose

While Jewish fire fighters, police officers, and transportation officers are recalled by name,no one recalls the stunning story of the Orthodox man who stayed behind in the Tower with his co-worker, a man who could not have gotten down the stairs as he was a quadrapalegic and used an electric wheelchair. The Jewish man chose to stay with his friend even after the urging of his friend to leave as there was still time. The man said he would prefer to stay. There was an interview with this exceptional man's family on the national news who related this story. Sadly, I do not know his name. He is the person for whom I will hold special memories. If anyone knows his name, I would appreciate being notified.

(8)
Anonymous,
September 11, 2006 5:45 AM

Thank you for printing this; I did not see it in the Jewish Week and it is exactly how I wanted to start my day on 9/11.remembering, feeling, and hoepfully looking forward.

(7)
DiannePetro,
September 11, 2006 2:18 AM

The best remembrance of 9/11

This is the best writing on 9/11 that I've read--of all the countless pieces I've seen, this brings together all the horror yet hope, the tragedy laced with heroics and wonders. Thank you for it.

(6)
SilkyPitterman,
September 10, 2006 8:09 PM

Thank you

This is all so sad. We must remember what happened. Thank you for this well written rememberance. Hashem yinakem damam.

(5)
haroldluria,
September 10, 2006 1:17 PM

great job

(4)
DrF.L.Kotkin,
September 10, 2006 11:32 AM

"Not much of a Jew"

"Belson was not much of a Jew". As Jews, we must stop making comments like that. This man died trying to save others and he should be celebrated for behavior that far exceeds what most of us are cabable of doing.

(3)
LesleyHubbard,
September 10, 2006 11:21 AM

I am totally awed by the depth of this article

For once, I am without words, except to say how touched I was by this feature.

(2)
Anonymous,
September 10, 2006 10:56 AM

Toda Rabah for this article

Awesome article, I finally feel some measure of solace after the terrible shock of 9/11. Even now, 5 years later, I am still haunted by the images. Although I was at the WTC 10 days before the tragedy, I remember feeling great anxiety as I stood in front of the massive buildings and almost fell over backwards trying to look all the way up to their rooftops. I attributed my anxiety to the memory of the 1993 attacks (how is it possible they could get away with using basically the SAME plan a few years later? but that's a whole other story) but was haunted by my feelings after having to return to california early and seeing the tragedy on television. I know I would probably have been at the WTC with visiting friends on 9/11 itself, I realize that G-d in his/her great compassion took me as far away from ground zero as possible, perhaps to save my life or even 'just' my sanity. I have no idea what would have happened to me psychologically if I'd seen what the people there saw, and I am grateful for my personal 'non-miracle' as another aish author so eloquently put it. A big thank you to the author of this article for the healing words of hope we so desperately need even 5 years later...

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...